Enrolling in college as a commuter student is a great way to save money, but sometimes it is difficult to stay involved with campus activities. Kailee Boylan said, “the biggest downside to being a commuter is the separation from the college culture. I personally spend as much time on campus as I can, but there are still things I miss: moments, memories, and late-night shenanigans in the residence halls. I’m not getting what most people would call ‘the full college experience.’” Commuters might sometimes struggle to feel involved on campus, because they are not experiencing college the same way that resident students are.
As Kailee mentioned, one of the downsides to commuting is not being in a Residence Hall. Many resident students enjoy forming bonds with roommates and hallmates. Commuter students may feel like they are missing out on these types of relationships. Commuter students might not build these bonds in the same way as resident students, but they still have a myriad of opportunities to create friendships and make memories on campus. There are also opportunities like study abroad trips and adventure trips that can give commuter students the opportunity to engage in immersive experiences with other students and make once-in-a-lifetime memories.
Commuter students can sometimes feel like they are missing out on the opportunities that resident students have, but there are a lot of ways that commuter students can feel involved on campus. Joining a club or a sports team can help commuter students find a group to belong to and build friendships with other students. Commuters are also encouraged to attend on-campus events. The Center for Student Engagement (CSE) plans many on-campus events every week, and attending events is a great way for commuter students to feel involved with the campus and to make friends that have similar interests. Even though commuter students are not living on campus, they can still engage with campus activities as often as they want. Sigrid Nicodemussen is also a commuter student, and says, “I think Geneva is great at including commuters - the commuters just have to be willing to be included.”
Commuter students should also take advantage of the amenities available to them. They can use the fitness center, study in the library, and use the lockers in the student center. They can also enjoy the company of other students in the Brig, Riverview, and Skye Lounge. There are also many places on campus where free coffee is available such as the library and the Bible offices. Commuter students may enjoy a hot cup of coffee and conversation. Commuter students should not feel like they are only at college for classes, but they are a part of the entire Geneva family. By enjoying these on-campus amenities, commuter students can feel more involved with the campus community.
Ultimately the best way for commuters to feel involved and engaged is to build relationships with other students. Kailee says, “One thing that helps commuters is the efforts of other students to include them. The students who live on campus at Geneva are very welcoming, and my friends have done a lot to make me feel like I belong in the college community – despite the challenges commuting brings.” Attending events and joining clubs are great ways for commuters to feel involved, but they will feel the most involved when they build friendships with other students. When commuters are able to build strong friendships, they will make memories and experience shenanigans. They might not have the same college experience as resident students, but they can still enjoy a full, vibrant college experience.
Mattigan Burleigh '24
Opinions expressed in the Geneva Blog are those of its contributors and do not necessarily represent the opinions or official position of the College. The Geneva Blog is a place for faculty and contributing writers to express points of view, academic insights, and contribute to national conversations to spark thought, conversation, and the pursuit of truth, in line with our philosophy as a Christian, liberal arts institution.
Aug 30, 2023
When looking for a college, a big question you must ask yourself is, do I want to live on campus? There are a lot of great reasons to live on campus. Read here to learn more!
As graduation approaches, do you find yourself ticking off boxes on your Geneva bucket list? Here are 9 things you should do before you graduate!
Small campuses come with a lot of benefits that students might not experience at a larger school. When choosing a school to attend, weighing the pros and cons can be really helpful, so here are some pros about attending a small school!
Sickness spreads quickly on college campuses. Here are a few tips to help you avoid catching a cold or virus!
Night classes can be a bit daunting, but once you learn what to expect and figure out how you learn best, then anyone can thrive in a night class. Read more!
It is not an easy process to transfer from one college to another. There are a lot of challenges that come with transferring, but there are also many resources to make the transition easier. Read more!
Discover a few unique and fun ways to bring some new experiences to your winter break.
Here are some tips offered by Staff Counselor at Geneva, Toby Shope, to keep in mind when you find yourself missing home or feeling like you do not belong on campus.
Hear from our Residence Life staff about what community outside of the classroom is like at Geneva College.
Learn more about Geneva College.
Have questions? Call us at 724-847-6505.
© Geneva College | All rights reserved
